(けん)

けん
counter
counter for houses, buildings
1. counter for houses, buildings, shops
Used to count houses, buildings, and establishments.
一軒家(いっけんや)()んでいる。
I live in a detached house.
この(とお)りには(みせ)(さん)(けん)ある。
There are three shops on this street.
何軒(なんけん)のレストランを(まわ)った?
How many restaurants did you go to?
駅前(えきまえ)居酒屋(いざかや)何軒(なんけん)(なら)んでいる。
There are many izakaya lined up in front of the station.
あの商店街(しょうてんがい)には(むかし)ながらの(みせ)二十(にじっ)(けん)ほど(なら)んでいて、休日(きゅうじつ)はいつもにぎわっている。
In that shopping street, about twenty traditional shops line up, and it's always bustling on holidays.

(けん) is the counter for houses, shops, restaurants, and other establishments.

WHAT IT COUNTS:

  • Houses, buildings
  • Shops, stores, restaurants
  • Bars, cafes, businesses

COUNTING (note sound changes):

  • 一軒(いっけん): 1 (gemination)
  • 二軒(にけん): 2
  • 三軒(さんげん): 3 (voiced)
  • 四軒(よんけん): 4
  • 何軒(なんけん): how many?

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 一軒家(いっけんや): detached house (single-family home)
  • 二軒隣(にけんどなり): two doors down
  • 居酒屋(いざかや)何軒(なんけん)(まわ)る: to go bar-hopping

NOTE:
(のき) (eaves) uses a different reading of the same kanji.